Commander: National Security is at local level, too
The American Legion was founded in 1919 by war-weary World War I veterans. They first met in Paris in March 1919 after Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt Jr., son of President Teddy Roosevelt, proposed the idea of creating an organization for veterans.
In May 1919, they met in St Louis, where the constitution and the name, The American Legion, became permanent. All of its earliest members were fresh from the battlefields of World War I. They knew firsthand the cost of war and the importance of a strong national defense. More than a century later, The American Legion continues to be a powerful voice for a secure and prepared nation.
At the heart of it all, the National Security pillar is about peace through strength. It is about making sure that America is prepared — militarily, economically and socially — so that our nation remains free and secure for generations to come.
National Security, as a pillar, covers a lot of ground. It begins with supporting a strong, well-trained, and well-equipped military — one that is capable of protecting our country and our allies. But it also includes making sure our service members have what they need off the battlefield: fair pay, good housing, quality health care and a strong support system for their families.
The Legion works with Congress and the Department of Defense to ensure our military has the tools it needs to succeed. We advocate for better benefits for active-duty troops and veterans. We push for policies that keep our borders secure and our homeland safe.
National Security also means preparing our communities for emergencies and natural disasters. Many Legion posts partner with local first responders, offering meeting spaces, volunteers and even shelter when disaster strikes. That’s National Security at the local level — neighbors helping neighbors, ready to serve when needed.
Let me share a quick example of what this pillar can look like in action. After the Red River flooding in 1997 in East Grand Forks and again in 2009 in Fargo-Moorhead, Legionnaires from across the area came together to help their communities. They opened posts as emergency shelters, collected donations for families who lost their homes, and even cooked meals for first responders. This is the American Legion living its National Security mission — not just talking about readiness, but being ready.
This pillar also includes support for law enforcement, border protection, and cyber security efforts. The threats we face today are not the same as they were in 1919 — they are more complex, more global, and sometimes invisible. The Legion stays engaged in those conversations, pushing for policies that protect Americans’ freedom while keeping us safe from new and evolving dangers.
As Legionnaires, we have a duty to be part of that mission. Whether it is supporting our troops, preparing our towns for emergencies, or simply staying informed and engaged, we each have a role to play in safeguarding our country.
Fall Conference is coming up in a couple weeks, Oct. 24-25. We will be having training on a variety of topics such as post operations, legal issues, legislative update, chaplains and The American Legion. Don’t miss out!
We will have a joint service project with the whole Legion Family. We will collect items for the St. Cloud Stand Down, which assists veterans in Minnesota. Look for a brief in the What’s Happening section on Page 2 of this issue for the items we are looking for. Please make sure they are new items and the toiletries should be full-sized, not travel-size.
Again, this year we will make poppies! Friday night at 7 p.m.! Join in the fun!
Linda Dvorak of New Prague Post 45 is the commander of The American Legion Department of Minnesota. Her theme is “Back to the Basics – The Four Pillars.”